CQ JUNIOR ROBOTICS COMPETITION

From robot vacuum cleaners, self-parking cars and automatic irrigation systems to security systems and
industrial manufacturing, increasing levels of technology are becoming a critical part of our everyday
lives. The skills required to develop and understand these systems require knowledge in the disciplines
of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (or ‘STEM’ education).
Make learning fun
To foster an interest in STEM at the grass-roots level, the CQ Junior Robotics Competition brings
students together for a community-based educational initiative. CQUniversity has hosted this annual
event since 2003, attracting from 70 to 200 students per year. The event is based on the state and
national RoboCup Junior Competition. Consisting of different categories including rescue, soccer and
dance, the event is open to primary and secondary students. The competition is hotly contested and
many participants have progressed to competitions at the state and national championship level. See
www.cqjrc.cqu.edu.au for further information.
Educational robotics has a multidisciplinary focus across technologies such as computing, mathematics,
software programming, electrical and mechanical engineering, artificial intelligence, communication,
sensor technology, educational technology, image processing and game theory. It requires participants
to demonstrate teamwork and knowledge across the different discipline areas, whilst overcoming
challenging real world situations.
That sounds like pretty advanced education, right? But to kids, it’s just good fun. It’s promoting STEM
at the level that’s needed to support society’s future needs whilst engaging participants in a way that
appeals to their current interests.
Identify and address potential barriers to learning
Within Central Queensland, schools and students are very keen to get involved with robotics however
feedback indicates a number of potential barriers to uptake. Some of these include:
• Teachers often lack the specific robotics skills and knowledge required to mentor students
• Teachers and students often don’t have access to the required equipment and resources within
their school and
• Many schools struggle to find the time and space within the curriculum to support programs of
this nature (and therefore rely on the personal time and interest of specific teachers to engage
students in extra-curricular activities).
Support key influencers to overcome the challenges
To overcome some of these potential challenges, the CQ Junior Robotics Competition trialled a
discovery program called ‘discover the world of robotics’.
To support local schools to get involved in the competition, the program offered 10 schools the
opportunity to participate in a fully funded professional development activity. Over 30 nominations
were received from local schools. The program included:
• a hands on full day learning workshop with world renowned robotics educator Dr Damien Kee
(with one teacher from each of the 10 participating schools)
• a student focussed robotics excursion (with up to 3 students per school) and
• a heavily subsidised robotics kit for the school.
Overall, the pilot program proved to be a huge success. Teachers returned to their schools with
practical skills and knowledge they could use to teach their students. Whilst students discovered new
confidence and experience they could use to inspire others as school based mentors. The program was
made possible by funding from CQUniversity and a grant from the Department of Education and
Training (CQ Gifted and Talented). Their generous support enabled 10 schools to enter the competition
for the very first time. As a result of the program, the 2015 competition is likely to achieve record
participation levels, more than doubling the number of students from the previous year.
There is considerable demand for initiatives of this kind, however future programs are heavily
dependent on available funding.
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Where to from here
The students of today are the scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians of the future…
they are our innovators and problem solvers.
The CQ Junior Robotics Competition has succeeded by engaging these very kids (and their schools) in
a fun, supportive and community based environment. And in doing so, has provided a clear pathway
into further STEM education. This has been evidenced by many of the past participants progressing to
tertiary studies. So how can we encourage more of this sort of involvement?
To sustain and grow interest in STEM, our experience indicates that further support is required at the
grass-roots level. Some key questions that need to be considered and addressed include the following:
• Are there opportunities to ensure further school-based technology programs to be recognised
and supported within the wider educational curriculum?
• Is it possible to provide teachers with greater access to the professional development required
to support higher-level STEM initiatives?
• How can we ensure schools are appropriately funded and equipped to support specific learning
in advanced STEM areas? and
• What else can be done to get kids excited and actively engaged in interactive, real-world,
learning opportunities?